A number of groups are devoted to reforming youth sentencing. But in the realm of criminal justice activism, life sentences have not been a focus (indeed, many opponents of the death penalty have pushed life without parole as the best alternative to executions). “A good deal of [advocacy] focuses on removing low-level, nonviolent offenders from jails and prisons because they comprise such a large proportion of the incarcerated population,” says Ashley Nellis, an analyst with the Sentencing Project. Whereas the obvious excesses of the drug war have met resistance, when it comes to violent crimes, even young defendants have comparatively few advocates in their corner.
From The Nation’s recent article on juvenile life without parole. Read here.
PLEASE HELP WITH THIS CASE:
Bobby Bostic
The only teenager in the HISTORY OF THE State of Missouri
Sentenced in 1997 to 240 years in prison
Eligible for parole in 204 years in the year 2201.
This sentence = natural life in prison = the death penalty.
“A 16 year old sentencedto die
in prison for robbery”
DOC Id 526795
South Central Correctional Center
255 West Highway 32, Licking, MO 65542
Bobby Bostic’s 1997 sentence guarantees he will die in prison without any meaningful opportunity to obtain release, no matter what he might do to demonstrate that the bad acts he committed as a teenager are not representative of his true character, even if he spends the next half century attempting to atone for his crimes and learn from his mistakes. The State has denied him any chance to later demonstrate that he is fit to rejoin society based solely on a nonhomicide crime that he committed (@ age 16) while he was a child in the eyes of the law. This the Eighth Amendment does not permit.
Supreme Court Rules that Life without Parole for Minors is “cruel and unusual” punishment, and violates the Eighth Amendment Graham v. Florida and Miller v. Alabama,
Being eligible for parole in 204 years is a “factual impossibility”= DEATH SENTENCE
This young man has NEVER seen a day of freedom as an adult in his life
About Bobby Bostic @ http://www.freebobbybostic.com
On behalf of Mr. Bostic, would you be so kind and file an Amicus Curiae Brief on Mr. Bostics behalf or take this case and represent him directly. Whatever help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Your talent is earnestly needed. Please help and thanks in advance.
Bobby believes his amicus curiae (‘friend of court’) brief can be based on the latest June 25, 2012 Supreme Court decision In Miller v. Alabama, the Supreme Court on June 25, 2012 ruled states cannot mandate life without the possibility of parole to ANY JUVENILES.
Being eligible for parole in 204 years is not a possibility in fact it is a “factual impossibility”
Bobby’s Attorney
Patricia Harrison
St. Louis University Law School
321 N. Spring Ave.
St. Louis, Mo. 63108
314-977-2778
email: pharris5@slu.edu
Please Pass it on
Thanks again in advance.
Doug Lewis (Founder-Citizens Committee to Free Bobby Bostic)
e-mail: DouglasJLewis@gmail.com
2236 Colfax Av,
St. Louis, Mo 63121
314-295-8276 (best time to call 10am)